UPDATE 9/17, 6:00 p.m. ET: Adam Vinatieri isn't retiring just yet. On Tuesday, the struggling Colts kicker addressed rumors that he was retiring while speaking with the media. “Quite frankly, for two decades, we’ve always had open locker rooms on a Monday, and granted our schedule has changed as of last year," he said, per ESPN. "When I walked out saying I’ll talk to you guys on Monday, I just needed a little bit more time. Like I said, none of us should assume stuff.”
Vinatieri also said that he has "demons" that he needs to get out of his head. “I think there’s always mental and physical aspects of football,” he added. “I just haven’t been hitting the ball as well as I should be. Nothing is going to change this week as far as preparation and all that stuff. I’ve kicked a lot of balls over the years. I’m not reinventing the wheel. I’m going to go out there and just try to do it a little cleaner. I’ve been watching film and checking stuff out, seeing if there are little tweaks I can do to make a difference.”
See original story below.
Adam Vinatieri might be the latest Indianapolis Colts player to decide he just doesn't have it anymore. The 46-year-old kicker is apparently considering retirement after a disappointing start to his season.
The rumor-starting report came from Stephen Holder, The Athletic's Colts reporter. Vinatieri told Holder after a game in which he missed two extra points that he would talk to him tomorrow. When Holder countered that Monday is not typically a day when the media talk to players, Vinatieri made it clear that tomorrow would be different.
It sounds like the kicker will be calling some sort of press conference or otherwise making himself available to reporters. Given the shakiness of his season so far of the normally clutch Vinatieri, it's possible he wants to call it off before doing any further damage to his reputation. It's also possible that his uncharacteristic missed kicks are symptoms of Vinatieri feeling his years. He's missed three extra points and two field goals this season.
If the kicker retires, he'll be the second Colt to bow out unexpectedly this season. Shortly before the season began, the team's franchise quarterback Andrew Luck tearfully announced that he could no longer play professional football.
